Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR) - Reports

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    Stalking and harassment: An investigation of experiences in Ireland
    (University College Cork, 2023-02) O'Sullivan, Catherine; Staunton, Ciara; Tusla, Ireland
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    Beyond McMahon – the future of asylum reception in Ireland: Conference summary
    (Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights (CCJHR), School of Law, University College Cork, 2018-04-25) Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR); Nasc, Irish Immigrant Support Centre
    The conference ‘Beyond McMahon – the Future of Asylum Reception in Ireland’ took place on Wednesday 25th April 2018 in the Western Gateway Building in University College Cork (UCC). Organised jointly by Nasc, the Migrant and Refugee Support Centre, and UCC’s Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR), the conference was generously funded by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). The conference aimed to assess developments in the Irish asylum reception system (‘direct provision’) since the establishment of a Working Group on the Protection Process and Direct Provision, and its report,the ‘McMahon Report’(2015). Using the Report and its recommendations as a starting point, this conference aimed to examine the future of, and possible alternatives to, direct provision in Ireland. To this end, the conference gathered experts from other European jurisdictions and individuals with experience of Ireland’s current reception system, including – importantly – input from asylum seekers. Fiona Finn, CEO of Nasc, introduced the conference’s goal succinctly: it aimed to catalyse a change in the current Irish reception system. This summary hopes to record some of the main ideas and concerns related by speakers and audience members at the conference, so that they may be used for future reference.
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    Racism and hate crime in Ireland: is the legislative and policy framework adequate? Conference summary
    (Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights (CCJHR), School of Law, University College Cork, 2013-10) Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights (CCJHR); Nasc, Irish Immigrant Support Centre
    Hosted by Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre and the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, UCC, this conference aimed to promote an open dialogue on Racism and Hate Crime in Ireland. Expert speakers and practitioners from a variety of fields were invited to explore the effectiveness of our current legislative and policy framework and to discuss the impact of hate crime, racism and discrimination of minority groups in Ireland. A number of key issues, and further points for consideration and recommendations were highlighted throughout the day by each of the speakers. This summary aims to highlight the emerging issues and themes, and to draw on these to suggest the next steps to take to respond effectively to racism and hate crime in Ireland.
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    Access to justice for people with disabilities as victims of crime in Ireland
    (National Disability Authority, 2012-02) Edwards, Claire; Harold, Gillian; Kilcommins, Shane
    International literature recognises that people with disabilities are at greater risk of crime than their able-bodied counterparts, but that crime against people with disabilities is significantly under-reported and often fails to proceed to prosecution. However, little is known in the Irish context about how the criminal justice system responds to the needs of people with disabilities as victims of crime. This study aims to: Explore the barriers that people with disabilities who report a crime face in accessing the criminal justice system in Ireland and internationally; Compare the legislative tools and frameworks across different jurisdictions which seek to protect the rights of people with disabilities who report crime and abuse; Analyse the specific policies and practices that agencies of the criminal justice system have in place to facilitate people with disabilities’ access to justice; Explore national and international innovations which may contribute to strengthening the way in which the Irish criminal justice system responds to the needs of people with disabilities. The study addresses these aims through an international literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with key agencies in the Irish criminal justice system.
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    Examining measures facilitating participation of female child victims in the prosecution of sexual abuse cases in Uganda’s criminal justice system
    (Centre for Criminal Justice & Human Rights (CCJHR), School of Law, University College Cork, 2018-09) Nabasitu, Daisy
    Children in most African traditional societies were not actively involved in decision-making processes in matters affecting them thereby impacting on the enjoyment of their rights. These traditions have been abandoned with the adoption of article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which provides for children’s right to participate in all matters affecting them. Sexual offences against female children are prevalent in Uganda due to the vulnerability and age. As victims of sexual abuse, children are often called upon to testify in criminal proceedings. Although children’s right to participate in criminal trials is guaranteed in the Constitution of Uganda and other national laws such as the Children’s Act, prosecution of sexual offences in Uganda’s adversarial system is hindered by lack of victim’s medical evidence, absence of eye witnesses to the commission of the offence, traumatic and unregulated cross-examination by defence counsel and limited participation based on age. These hinder female victim’s participation in criminal trials. This calls for adoption special protective measures such as use of video testimony, use of child sensitive cross-examination techniques, concealing victim’s identity during trial, exclusion of public from the court room, use of intermediaries. Not only will these provide relief to the victim but will enhance female child victim participation in sexual abuse trials. This paper examines the role of child victims in criminal trials. It reviews the international and regional legal framework regulating child participation in Uganda’s criminal justice system in part two. It further points out the adversarial system as a major barrier to female child victim participation. Lastly, the paper advances reasons for use of special protective measures intended to protect victims of sexual abuse from intimidation and secondary victimisation while testifying in criminal proceedings.